The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-21
THEPE0PLE WANTWATER
THEY PROTEST AGAINST SHUTTING
OFF THE SUPPLY.

Superintendent Miller Explains That
it Was Necessary-The Old Pump in
Constant Danger Of Bursting-Alder-
man Nichols Orders Work Stopped,
But the Order Cannot Be Obeyed.
The people of this city are very much
stirred up over what they think is the very
foolish action of the water committee in
shutting off the water at the present time
to put the large pump ends on the pump at
the water works. There have been num-
bers of communications vigorously protest
ing against the change being made at tho
present time sent TO this Office for publica-
ton, and some of them bordered on
abuse of the city officials. The
lack of water supply at this
season of the year is not only a great incon-
venience, but it is, to a certain extent, dan
gerous to the health of the city, but still it
could not be avoided. The gases and nox-
ious odors that arise from the sewer con
nections in the upper floors where
the pressure nov on the mains will
not force the water, are exit emely
offensive, and cannot be healthy.
The inconvenience of being without baths,
too, is not at all pleasant. The citizens
have all had the matter on their tongues
They do not understand why the change
could not be put off for few weeks when
the cooler weather would have made the
lack of water less offensive Many persons
have called upon Mr. Nichols, the chair
man OF the Water Committee, and have
urged their protests so strongly that yeSter-
day afternoon he sent an order to Superin-
tendent Miller TO put the old pump to-
Rether again and run it until cool weather,
but part Of the pump had gone on to New
York and the order could not be carried out.
Supt. Miller was seen last night and asked
why the work had not been delayed until
more convenient season, and he replied that
it was because there was danger Of
shutting off the water supply altogether
by continuing to run the old pump. It's
capacity was only 100000 gallons per
twenty-four hours, but the needs of the
city had so increased since it was put in that
for twelve months past it had been forced
to pump at the rate OF 100000
gallons between the hours of a. m and
6 p H., and 100000 gallons between
G p IN. and I a. III. The strain put upon it
was so great that it was i'll constant danger
OF breaking at any minute, and had it done
so the city would have been in a worse fix
than it is now.
A master machinist from the works that
built the pump was here not more than ten
money would induce him to remain in the
engine room while the pump was being run
SO much above its capacity. He did not
understand how Mr.. Miller dared to put
such strain on it and then
stay near it. That was the
condition Of affairs when the large pump
ends arrived, and it was deemed best to lose
no time about putting them on. This will
prevent the possibility of bursting the
pump, for it will increase its capacity to
7,500,000 gallons.
There seems TO be an impression that the
work will occupy two or three weeks, but
that is not the case. Mr.. Miller said that
he was working night and day to put the
ends on in the shortest time possible, and he
thought the work would certainly be com
pleted by next Sunday The city win
then have capacity of IL, 500, 600 gallons
per day, for the 5000, 900 ends will be put
on the small pump The Inconvenience is
one that would have to be borne at some
time, and it was thought best to bear it now,
particularly as delay meant danger.
Mr.. Miller said that very peculiar thing
happened Friday night The small pump
had been keeping up pressure of 80 pounds
but at IL :55 o'clock the pressure suddenly
dropped TO 20 pounds. A leak was looked
for, but it could not be found. Still he
thought one had started some where, for the
pump was pushed toits greatest capacity, but
it could not increase the pressure. YeSter-
day he sent men all over the city to see if
they could find leak, but when they came
back at night they reported that they had
found none. The matter is something of a
mystery, an explanation of which he is
looking for in vain.